Christ. First of the first of these sc. this That Christ Iesus and his merits together with the saving graces of his Spirit are fitly resembled unto gold yea gold tryed in the fire Hereupon it is that the Tabernacle and the Temple were both so adorned with gold because they were the Types of our Saviour and the graces of his Spirit Exod. 37. 6. 1 King 7. 48. There was the Table of gold and the Altar of gold and the Bowles and the Tongs and the Snuffers all of pure gold c. And why all this but to teach us that Christ and the graces of his Spirit are fitly resembled to gold Marke the answer of Christ's Spouse to the daughters of Jerusalem Cant. 5. when they asked What is thy beloved more than another beloved observe her answer Ver. 10. My beloved is white and ruddy the chiefest of tenne thousand Ver. 11. His head is as the most fine gold He is like unto most fine gold yea gold tryed in the fire So the Church cloathed with the merits of Christ and adorned with the graces of his Spirit is covered as it were with cloth of gold Vpon thy right hand did stand the Queene in gold of Ophyr saith the Text Psal. 45. 9. that is cloathed with Christ and the graces of his Spirit which are pure and precious like the gold of Ophyr And so againe Ver. 13. The Kings Daughter is all glorious within that is the Church is glorious in Gods account Her cloathing is of wrought gold this is very direct Now the Reasons of the poynt might be many I will but instance in some few of many Gold tryed in the fire is very precious of great worth and value so is Christ even in his lowest estate when he seemeth most despicable and worthles yet is he even then most precious disallowed indeed of men but chosen of God and precious sayth the Apostle 1 Pet. 2. 4. and v. 6. Behold I lay in Sion a chiefe corner stone elect and precious though the Jewish builders rejected this Stone yet was he exceeding precious in Gods account And as Christ himselfe is precious so are the graces of his Spirit such as wisdome and knowledge and faith and love c. these are precious jewels and therefore fitly resembled unto gold See what the holy Ghost sayth of Wisedome Pro. 3. 13 14. Happie is the man that findeth Wisdome and the man that getteth understanding for the merchandise thereof is better then the merchandise of silver and the gaine thereof is better then fine gold shee is more precious then Rubies c. See here the precious nature of spirituall and heavenly Wisdome The like may be said of faith and other graces Hence that phrase of precious faith To all that have obtained like precious faith with us sayth the Apostle 2 Pet. 1. 1. If you aske how precious this grace is He answereth That the tryall of our faith is much more precious then of gold that perisheth 1 Pet. 1. 7. Secondly Gold is of especiall use to pay debts to keepe or redeeme out of prison so are the merits and blood of Christ they redeeme us from hell and death yee are bought with a price sayth the Apostle 2 Cor. 6. 19 20. What price not silver and gold but with the precious blood of Christ as of a Lambe without spot 1 Pet. 1. 18 19. Of him are yee in Christ Jesus sayth the Apostle 1 Cor. 1. 30. Who of God is made unto us wisdome and righteousnesse and sanctification and redemption O golden Christ by the helpe of whose merits we pay the Debts which we owe to our heavenly Father yea by this gold are we redeemed and set at libertie from the prison of hell and from the bondage and slavery of sinne and Sathan Thirdly Gold tryed in the fire is very pure and cleane there is no drosse left in it so is Christ pure as well as precious so are the graces of Gods Spirit true grace is pure grace pure faith or faith unfained pure love without dissembling sincere or pure truth without hypocrisie 1 Tim. 1. 5. Now the end of the Commandement is charitie or love out of a pure heart and a good or pure conscience and faith unfained faith without mixture that is pure faith such faith and love are golden graces indeed Let love be without dissimulation sayth the Apostle Rom. 12. 9. there is pure love indeed it is an excellent place 1 Pet. 1. 22. Seeing that yee have purified your soules in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfained love of the brethren see that yee love one another with a pure heart fervently here is pure gold indeed wrought by the pure Spirit of God there is the Authour of it in obeying the truth there is the instrumentall meanes of it pure and unfained loue out of a pure heart there is the fruit of it Fourthly Gold tryed in the fire is fit for purchase it commandeth what the earth can affoord so doe Christ and his merits and graces they doe purchase Heaven for us Heaven is an inheritance and given freely in respect of any merits of ours but merited and purchased for us by Christ He is our great purchaser He purchaseth Heaven for us and in our name and is gone to take possession for us and to prepare a place for us there He purchased it for us by his merits hence that phrase Ephes. 1. 14. Vntill the Redemption of the purchased pessession sayth the Apostle And when he had purchased it for us He went to possesse it and prepare a place for us Joh. 16. 3. I goe to prepare a place for you So that a man interested in Christs merits and adorned with his graces is fit to make a purchase of Heaven So that Christ and his merits are in this respect also fitly resembled unto gold they make a golden purchase or purchase a golden place in Heaven for us Fifthly Gold is of an excellent use for ornament and beautie as well as for purchase and profit thus the Tabernacle and Temple were adorned with gold to make them glorious and beautifull so is the Church by the merits and graces of Christ become a glorious Church Psal. 45. 13. The Kings daughter is all glorious within How cometh that to passe Surely by the gold of Christs merits and graces for it followeth Her cloathing is of wrought gold there is her chiefe ornament so doe the graces of Gods Spirit they doe even adorne us in Gods account faith and love and meeknesse O woman great is thy faith Mat. 15. 28. there is her ornament I have not found so great faith no not in Israel sayth our Saviour Mat. 8. 10. there is the Centurions ornament so of Abraham faithfull Abraham a man strong in the faith and gave glory to God Rom. 4. 20. Golden Abraham there is his ornament Moses the meekest man upon earth Numb 12. 3. Now the man Moses was very meeke
the Lord be magnified which hath pleasure in the prosperitie of his servants He loveth to have them merry at meate and at worke and sing for joy of heart Isa. 65. 14. And withall he is constant in his love towards them if he be angry it is but for a moment but his love and mercie is everlasting towards them See a singular place for this purpose in Isa. 54. 7 8. For a small moment have I forsaken thee but with great mercies will I gather thee and ver 8. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment but with everlasting kindnesse will I have mercie on thee sayth the Lord thy Redeemer If he be wroth if he seeme to forsake or hide himselfe from his servants it is but for a moment but his love and kindnesse is everlasting his mercy endureth for ever having loved his owne which were in the world he loved them unto the end sayth our Saviour Ioh. 13. 1. not for a time but for ever his love like himselfe is constant and unchangeable it is an everlasting love Ier. 31. 3. With an everlasting love have I loved thee therefore with loving kindnesse have I drawne thee sayth the Lord. Yea his love to his servants is so constant that nothing shall be able to diprive them of it nothing can finally doe it and for ever Rom. 8. 37 38. For I am perswaded sayth the Apostle that neither death nor life nor Angells nor height nor depth nor things present nor things to come nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Yea sinne it selfe that is the most dangerous enemy of all for your iniquities have separated between you and your God Isa. 59. 1. cannot doe it yea rather then so your sinnes shall be pardoned and that for his owne sake Isa. 43. 25. for I am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake will not remember thy sinnes Here is a gracious and a constant loving Master Tenthly and lastly This heavenly Master of ours is readie dayly to manifest and expresse his love towards his servants in hearing their prayers and revenging all such wrongs as are offered unto them See the proofe of this priviledge in both the branches of it First For his hearing prayers it is one of his titles of honour to heare prayers Psal. 65. 2. Especially the prayers of his servants and such as feare him Joh. 9. 31. If any man be a worshipper of God and a doer of his Will him he heareth Yea he will fulfill the desires of them that feare him he will heare their cry and save them Psalm 145. 18. And if any man delight in Gods service he shall have his hearts desire Psal. 37. 4. Delight thy selfe in the Lord and he shall give thee the desires of thy heart What greater priviledge Yea he is many times found of them when they doe not seeke him Isa. 65. 24. It shall come to passe that when they call I will answer and while they are yet speaking I will heare O how open is his eare unto their complaints when they are wronged by their adversaries and how readie is the Lord even speedily to avenge their wrongs Heare what the unjust Iudge sayth sayth our Saviour Luk. 18. 7. And shall not God avenge his owne Elect which cry day and night unto him I tell you that he will avenge them speedily True it is he will not allow his servants to be their own carvers and avenge themselves But what need they when he is ready to doe it for them Vengeance is mine I will repay saith the Lord Ro. 12. 19. He that toucheth Gods servants to hurt them doth touch the aple of his eye Zach. 2. 8 Hee taketh all their wrongs and injuries as done to himselfe and he will certainely and wisely avenge their wrongs 2 Kings 9. 7. Iehu shall smite Ahab and Iezabel but to what end Iehu's end was to get the kingdome but what was the Lords end that yee shall see in the place forenamed That I may avenge the bloud of my servants the Prophets and the bloud of all the servants of the Lord at the hands of Iezabell they must pay deare that shed the bloud of Gods servants the Lord himselfe will bee avenged of them Another place to this purpose is that we have Deut. 32. 41. If I whet my glistering sword and my hand takes hold on judgement I will render vengeance to mine enemies c. and I will make my arrowes drunke with bloud and my sword shall devoure flesh c. But whose bloud and flesh shall thus goe to wracke That ye shall see verse 43. Surely they that have shed the bloud of his servants for hee will avenge the bloud of his servants saith the Text. Who would not be abundant in his service that will not suffer his servants bloud to be unavenged CHAP. VIII Containing the three first Directions or meanes how to spend much time in Gods service FIrst If wee would spend much time in Gods service we must labour to have our hearts rightly fitted and prepared for that purpose There is a price in the hand of many a foole to get wisdome but he wanteth an heart to get wisdome saith Salomon Pro. 17. 16. How many blessed opportunities have we of spending time in Gods service which are let slip because wee want hearts rightly prepared for that purpose Hereupon it is that in the first place God requireth our hearts Proverbs 23. 26. My son give me thy heart and Ier. 14. 4. O Ierusalem wash thy heart from wickednesse A prophane heart can never endure to spend much time in God service but straight cryeth out behold what a wearinesse is it Mal. 1. 13. Hence it is that the Lord cryeth out most of all for want of a right and fit disposition of heart in the duties of his service Isaiah 29. 13. This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouthes and honour me with their lips but their hearts are farre from me Here was the defects of Ezechiels hearers Ezech. 33. 31. ver They come unto thee as my people commeth and they also sit before thee as my people and they heare my words but they will not doe them where was the chiefe fault Surely in the heart for with their mouthes they shew much love but their heart goeth after their covetousnesse A covetous and a vicious heart will soone make a man weary of time spent in Gods service and therefore when any man setteth himselfe to doe God any service the Lord looketh directly with what heart he doth it It is an excellent speech of God to Samuel when hee was to choose Israel a King 1 Sam. 16. 7. the Lord said to Samuel Looke not on his countenance nor on the height of his stature c. For the Lord seeth not as man seeth for man looketh on the outward appearance but the Lord
appeare that a man shall love a faire Virgin better than we love God Now if we loved Gods Ordinances as wee should all the time that wee spend in his service would seeme but a few dayes even nothing in comparison if we could once come to serve God out of love to himselfe and his Ordinances Now surely this must needs follow upon the three former directions for if we 1 get an heart right set for God and bee constant in the private duties of religion and especially be carefull to season our hearts with religious cogitations early each morning then we cannot choose but love the duties of Gods publike worship and service and where this true love to Gods Ordinances is there will be a care to spend much time in Gods worship and service both publike and private See the description of David's blessed man Psalm 1. 1 2. where he is described first Negatively by what he doth not and secondly Affirmatively by that which he doth v. 2. But his delight is in the Law of the Lord and in that Law doth hee meditate day and right See the connection of these two If ye aske Why he spendeth so much time in Gods service even day and night It is answered because his delight is in the Law of the Lord ergo he spendeth much time in it Yea see this in David himselfe Why did he spend so much time in the duties of Gods worship and service but in regard of his singular love and affection towards them as that one speech of his doth plainly and fully intimate Psal. 119. 97. Oh how I love thy Law it is my meditation continually A man will never continually thinke and meditate on that which he loveth not David could never have sayd truely out of his experience A day in thy Courts is better then a thousand if he could not have truely sayd first My soule longeth yea even fainteth for the Courts of the Lord Psal. 84. 2. No it was his extraordinarie love to Gods house and Ordinances that made him value time spent there at so high a rate The Booke of Psalmes giveth plentifull and abundant testimony to this purpose Lord I have loved the habitation of thy house the place where thine honour dwelleth Psal. 26. 8. And againe often in Psal. 119. Oh how I love thy Law How much David Surely more then thousands of gold and silver Ver. 72. Yea more then great spoyles ver 102. yea it was sweeter then honey and the honey-combe Psal. 119. 103. No marvell if such a man as he spent much time in the duties of Gods service that loved Gods house and Ordinances so exceedingly Yea such was his love to the duties of Religion that by his good will he would spend all his dayes in that holy imployment yea and he maketh it his grand request the very onely Boone that he would beg at Gods hands that he might doe so An excellent place to this purpose is that which wee have Psal. 27. 4. One thing have I desired of the Lord that I will seeke after But one thing David Surely that is some great matter indeed it may be some great Kingdome bigger then that of Ierusalem No Davids ayme was at another kinde of matter see how he doth expresse it That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the dayes of my life This is Davids one thing that he would beg at Gods hand yea the meanest office or imployment in Gods house would give him more content then the highest place in the tents of the ungodly as is sweetly expressed in this very Verse Psal. 84. 10. in the words immediately following the words of our Text I had rather be a doore-keeper in the house of God then to dwell in the Tents of wickednesse Yea this is not Davids case onely but all that are regenerate indeed and truely godly and religious they are all of the same minde as well as David The little childe loveth nothing so well as the mothers brest that is the onely still-babe that giveth content for the most part when all other devices faile if this doe not quiet the childe scarce any thing will doe it so it is with all the new borne babes of Christ if they once be regenerate and borne againe they love nothing so well as to sucke the milke of Religion out of the breasts of Gods Ordinances It is the comparison that the holy Ghost himselfe useth 1 Pet. 2. 2. As new borne Babes desire the sincere milke of the Word that ye may grow thereby See the affection of Gods Saints this way Ieremiah and Ezechiel and Iob and Paul First for Ieremiah Chap. 15. 16. Thy Words were found and I did eate them And how did they taste Ieremiah Thy Word was unto me the joy and rejoycing of my heart Loe what sweetnesse the Babes of Christ finde in Gods Ordinances The like wee finde of Ezech. 3. 3. Sonne of man cause thy belly to eate and fill thy bowells with this rowle Here was Gods charge to the Prophet now see what sweetnesse he found in it Then did I eate the rowle and it was in my mouth as honey for sweetnesse Then for holy Job the sweetnesse that he found in Gods Ordinances was that which affoorded him a great deale of comfort in his greatest afflictions Job 23. 12. His way that is the Lords way have I kept and not declined neither have I gone back from the Commandement of his lippes I have esteemed the words of his lippes more then my necessarie food that made him so religious and spend so much time in Gods service because he was so farre in love with Gods Ordinances Then consider the example of Paul Rom. 7. 22. What made him spend so much time in Gods service in prayer and preaching to all the world but because he loved the Word exceedingly I delight in the Law of God according to the inner man so farre as he was regenerate he tooke great delight in Gods Ordinances But above all consider the example of our blessed Saviour none comparable to him for his unwearied painfulnesse in Gods service He went about doing good continually Act. 10. 38. Yea observe it Mat. 9. 35. Iesus went about all the Cities and Villages teaching in their Synagogues and preaching the Gospel of the kingdome and healing every sicknesse and every disease amongst the people And why so Surely because his love to Gods Ordinances and his Fathers will was extraordinarie This is the reason that he himselfe giveth in this very case It is an excellent Storie that we finde Ioh. 4. the effect and substance whereof is this That our Saviour comming to Sychar to Iacobs Well and being hungry and thirstie He sendeth his Disciples into the Citie to buy meate sayth the Text ver 8. In the meane time commeth a woman of Samaria to draw water and our Saviour taketh that opportunitie in their absence to convert the heart of this poore Samaritan wherein the Disciples finde
care or providence but the blessing of God that bringeth wealth and therefore our excessive care is fruitlesse Thirdly This inordinate thought-taking for outward things is very dangerous and prejudiciall for besides the mischiefe alreadie mentioned and specified wee shall finde it hurtfull in these three respects First This inordinate desire of having maketh a man a prey unto Sathan and layeth him open unto Sathans dangerous temptations it doth cast a man inevitably into the snare of Sathan 1 Tim. 6. 9. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare and into many foolish and hurtfull lustes which drowne men in destruction and perdition This will make a man lye and steale and cheat yea forsweare and swagger c. The devill hath every covetous man alwaies at advantage as it were upon the hippe he is even caried captive by him at his will This is one wofull mischiefe that it maketh a man even apparently the devils vassall Secondly This inordinate love of the world in processe of time will even eat out the true love of God out of our hearts For even as adulterous love in a woman doth even eat the love of her husband out of her heart so that the more she loveth a stranger the lesse she regardeth her husband so doth the inordinate love of the world If we dote upon that painted Strumpet she will so bewitch us that in time we shall not care for the Lord at all This is the Apostles argument 1 Ioh. 2. 15. Love not the world nor the things of the world for if any man love the world the love of the Father is not in him It is not possible for a man to over-love the world and yet in the meane time to love God as he ought no more then it is possible for a man to looke even upward and downward both at once Set your affections upon things above and not on the things that are here below Col. 3. 1. Intimating that it is at least improbable if not impossible to doe both Thirdly The too-much bent of the affections to outward things doth utterly deprive us of Gods love to us As the love of the Father is not in him so the love of the Father is not towards him in that case But on the contrary the Lord even hateth and abhorreth him which is a most wofull estate and condition Psal. 10. 3. Speaking good of the covetous whom God abhorreth Where we see evidently that every covetous person is hated and abhorred of GOD. And no marvell for it is no lesse then Idolatry in Gods account Col. 3. 5. Yea and there is a very direct and expresse enmitie between God and every such person Iam. 4. 4. Know ye not that the amitie of the world is enmitie against God so that whosoever maketh himselfe a friend of the world the same is Gods enemie Now marke the woefull estate of Gods enemies Psal. 68. 21. God will surely wound the head of his enemies and the hairie scalpe of such a one as walketh on still in his trespasses This is another fearefull and intolerable mischiefe Fourthly This inordinate thought-taking for outward things doth often keepe many from entering upon the profession of Religion and embracing of Christianitie Many could be content to embrace Christ if it were not for the world This hindereth many from becomming the Disciples of Christ because they cannot finde in their hearts to forsake all for his sake See an experiment of this in that young man in the Gospel Mat. 19. 16. He had a moneths minde to become one of our Saviours Disciples see how sweetly and lovingly he speaketh to our Saviour Good Master what good thing shall I doe that I may have eternall life If thou wilt enter into life keepe the Commandements as if he had sayd come on thy wayes I will set thee a taske but when he had told him the upshot of all Ver. 22. If thou wilt be perfect Goe and sell all that thou hast and give to the poore and thou shalt have treasure in heaven and come follow me Ver. 22. When he heard this saying he went away sorrowfull for he was endued with great possessions Yea and it seemeth he did not so much possesse as he was possessed of them he loved the treasures of the earth too well to forsake them for the treasures of heaven Now mark what our Saviour inferreth hereupon to his Disciples Ver. 23. Verely I say unto you that a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdome of God Inordinate love of riches doth keepe men from the profession much more from the practise of Religion This is another mischiefe Fifthly Wee would never spend time in inordinate thought-taking how to get wealth if we did consider another speciall inconvenience that ever commeth with it and that is that it maketh men fickle and inconstant in their Religion This will make a man plainly disert and utterly forsake Christ and his cause and leave him in the open fields A covetous person will never stand to his colours our Saviour himselfe foretelleth that some should forsake him Ioh. 16. 32. Behold the houre commeth c. when yee shall be scattered every man to his owne and shall leave me alone and yet I am not alone for the Father is with me Yea this you shall finde most certaine that nothing will make a man sooner doe this then the inordinate love of this present world This made Demas forsake his colours and turne Apostata The Apostle once kindely salutes the Church in his Name but after cryeth out against him for Apostacie 1 Tim. 4. 10. Demas also hath forsaken us having loved this present world So that if we would be constant in the service of Christ we must take heede of the world Sixthly and lastly This will bring the wrath of God upon a mans posteritie Many a man goeth to the devill himselfe to make his sonne a rich man and yet in spite of his heart God maketh him a beggar He begetteth a sonne and there is nothing in his hand Eccles. 5. 14. So that he coveteth an evill covetousnesse to his house Heb. 2. 9 10. He thinketh his children shall fare better and they speed the worse for his evill gotten goods as appeareth by the examples of Achan and Ahab whose covetous ill gotten wealth was the ruine of them and of their posteritie Josu 7. 24. 1 King 21. 29. This will helpe us against this sinne if this be rightly considered Fourthly Another great Let or impediment in this case is excessive feasting or belly-cheare True it is that we are allowed the liberall and comfortable use of Gods creatures not onely for necessitie but for delight but yet we must even in this case beware of excesse The Prophet cryeth out against unreasonable and unseasonable feastmungers Amos 6. 4. That they stretched themselves upon their couches did eat the Lambs out of the flocke and the Calves out of
bodies washed with cleane water c. But how shall we come to be assured that we doe so That you shall see Ver. 24. Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and unto good workes c. Yea but what good worke are we principally to bring others unto Surely to frequent the Church assemblies v. 25. Not forsaking the assembling of our selves together as the manner of some is So that you see we have great warrant for this Yea we must needs doe it necessitie is layd upon us and woe be unto us if we doe it not It is the voyce of a Cain Am I my Brothers keeper Gen. 4. Art thou not bound to love thy neighbour as thy selfe But I will tell thee that thou doest not love but hate him in thy heart if thou suffer him to goe on in any sinfull way and doe not doe thy best endeavour to convert him See an evident place for this purpose in Levit. 19. 17. Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thy heart Yea it is the second maine dutie of the Law Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy selfe But it may be thou art readie to say Alas I doe not hate him but wish him well and love him as my selfe I doe not trouble him nor make nor meddle with him c. Nay but this is not enough thou mayest hate him in thy heart notwithstanding all this if thou goe no farther and therefore see what followeth Thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour and not suffer sinne upon him else thou doest but hate him in thy heart So that if we see our brother neglect the Church assembles or heare him sweare and blaspheme the Name of God or live in any other sinne and doe not plainely rebuke him thou doest not love thy brother but hate him in thy heart and art a murtherer in Gods account Hereby we testifie the truth of our love towards them especially thy familie and those that are committed to thy charge thou doest not love them truely but hate them in thy heart if thou neglect the good of their soules See the concurrent practise of such as have beene once truely converted themselves that their families have beene soone wrought on even immediately after Act. 16. 34. It is sayd of the converted Iayler that he beleeved in God with all his house And the like is sayd of others This was Abrahams care to instruct and reforme his familie Gen. 18. 19. I know Abraham that he will command his children servants to keepe the way of the Lord to doe judgement and justice i.e. I know Abraham will not be content to serve God himselfe alone but he will have a speciall care to see that his houshold doe so as well as he Yea this was the resolution and godly pietie of holy Ioshua Chap. 24. 14 15. Having reckoned up the singular varietie of Gods mercies towards them he endeavoureth hereupon to perswade all the people of God unto a religious obedience saying Ver. 14. Now therefore feare the Lord and serve him in uprightnesse and truth But then see ver 15. if he could not prevaile with all the rest yet he would be sure to prevaile with his owne familie he durst undertake for them As for me I and my house will serve the Lord. No man can have assurance that he is truely converted to God himselfe if he doe not put away iniquitie from his Tabernacle See Iob 22. 23. If thou returne to the Almightie thou shalt be built up thou shalt put away iniquitie from thy tabernacles Oh how this would quicken our desire and endeavour to reforme our familie if this was layd to heart and rightly considered this would make a man resolve with David not to keepe such servants in his familie as are prophane and irreligious Psal. 101. 4. A froward heart shall depart from me I will not know a wicked person Ver. 7. He that worketh deceit shall not dwell in my house and he that telleth liâ—s shall not tarry in my sight O therefore let us have a care not onely to serve God our selves but let us doe our best to perswade others especially let us have a care to reforme our families and put away iniquitie from our Tabernacle this is the way to bring the blessing of God both upon our selves and upon our families The power of Religion where it once cometh doth ever leave a blessing behinde it As the Arke of God brought a blessing with it to the house of O bed Edom 2 Sam. 6. 11. Yea if there be but one person in a familie that truely feareth God the whole familie and houshold shall fare the better for their sakes Thus God blessed Labans house for Jacobs sake as Laban himselfe confessed and therefore was lothe to part with him Gen. 30. 27. I pray thee tarry sayth he for I have learned by experience that the Lord hath blessed me for thy sake And so the Lord blessed Putiphar's house for Ioseph's sake that idolatrous family sped a great deale the better for such a servant The Lord blessed the Aegyptians house for Ioseph's sake sayth the Text Gen. 39. 5. But how much more would it be a speciall meanes to bring Gods blessing upon our houses and families if all the whole familie would delight to spend time in GODS service and be religious Doubtlesse the Lord would make good that gracious promise Psal. 84. 11. That he will be Sunne and Shield unto them that he would give grace and glory and no good thing would hâ— withhold from such a familie c. Thus you see strong Motives and Arguments to perswade us not onely to serve God our selves but also to exhort and perswade our families to doe the like Here are the three first Motives CHAP. XIII Wherein the fourth Motive to the third and last Dutie is propounded and prosecuted FOurthly The last Motive to perswade us not onely to serve GOD our selves but also to perswade others thereunto is drawn from the consideration of the worth and excellency of the exercises of Religion especially the duties of his publike and solemne worship How can any of us spend our time better then in such holy and excellent performances It is even a little heaven upon earth to be so employed there have we the Word faithfully read preached both the Old and New Testament yea there we have the Ordinance of Catechising wherein we have milke for babes as well as meate for strong men But as touching the worth and excellency of this Ordinance I have already spoken Chap. 9. But besides the Ministery of the Word we have 1. the publike and solemne prayers and Lyturgie of our Church wherin all Gods people joyne together as one man in that solemne dutie and service 2. We have the holy and blessed Sacraments rightly and duely administred both Baptisme and the Supper of the Lord which were both of them clearely instituted by Christ himselfe and are
let him come unto me and drinke You see that onely the thirstie soules are invited to Christ a man without this spirituall thirst after grace is likely to be sent emptie away it is hunger and thirst then that fitteth us for the graces of Christ Luk. 1. 53. He hath filled the hungry with good things and the rich he hath sent emptie away such onely are likely to prize it such onely will be thankfull for it such onely are likely to make a right use of it such onely will take paines to procure and be at great cost to obtaine it and therefore they that would bargaine with Christ for true saving grace must hunger and thirst after it yea such an one will be earnest in prayer to God for it he will pray with fervencie and therefore is sure to speed in his request Pro. 2. 2. 3. If thou cryest after knowledge and lifâ—est up thy voyce after understanding if thou seekest for her as for silver and searchest for her as for hid treasure then shalt thou understand the feare of the Lord and finde the knowledge of God Fourthly Diligence and constancie in frequenting the place of sale this also must needs follow upon the three former directions For he that is first sensible of the want of grace secondly knoweth the right worth of grace thirdly and hungreth and thirsteth after it cannot but in the fourth place with all possible diligence and readinesse frequent the place of sale Buying presupposeth going to the market He that would have true saving grace must diligently and constantly frequent Gods house and Ordinances He is worthy to goe without his commoditie that will not frequent the place of sale A wise man will watch for an opportunitie to procure that commoditie that will serve his turne he will come one market day after another untill he be furnished and he is a blessed man that doth thus and that in the judgement and opinion of wisedome her selfe observe it Pro. 8. 33. Blessed is the man that heareth me watching daily at my gates and giving attendance at the postes of my doores Happie is that man that daily frequents Wisedomes markets and diligently attendeth in Gods house and Ordinances Thus was Paul's direction to the Elders of Ephesus he sendeth them still to the market Acts 20. 32. And now Brethren I commend you to God and to the Word of his grace which is able to build you up farther c. Here is the meanes both to get and increase grace This made Gods Saints love Gods house and Ordinances so exceeding dearely Let me instance in David in stead of all the rest oh his admirable love to Gods house and Ordiâ—ances Psal. 26. 8. Lord I have loved the habitation of thine house and the place where thine honour dwelleth he was a constant frequenter of this spirituall market yea see how he manifested his wonderfull affection that way he was even sicke when he was kept from the market Give me leave to informe you of one singular passage of his to this purpose Psal. 27. 4. One thing have I desired of the Lord and that I will require and seeke after but one thing David surely then that is a matter of some speciall importance It may be another kingdome or such another crown as that which was taken from the King of Rabbah No surely it was no such matter but onely this sc. libertie to enjoy the benefit of Gods house and Ordinances he desired onely to keepe the market sc. That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the dayes of my life and enquire in his Temple As if he had sayd Lord what a doe is here in the world with many one would be rich and another would be honourable this man is for pleasure and that for profit well let them take all so that I may enjoy the libertie of Gods house and Ordinances the meanes of grace the pledges of Gods favour let me have but this one thing alone and let them take all the rest This is Davids one thing And no marvell if he was thus earnest in this case for Davids one thing is the one thing needfull and that in the judgement and opinion of our blessed Saviour Luk. 10. 42. One Thing is needfull Mary hath chosen the good part which shall not be taken from her And surely there is good reason for this here is the place of Gods speciall presence this is as it were the shop of Christ here he walketh and talketh with his customers and here he selleth his precious commodities Revel 2. 1. we there finde him walking in the middest of the golden Candlestickes still present in the Church assemblies yea there he hath promised to be present in a most speciall manner Mat. 18. 20. Wheresoever two or three are gathered together in my Name there am I even in the middest amongst them there he standeth looking for customers and calling in such as are readie to passe his shop and never so much as once thinking to cheapen his commoditie untill they heare him cry What doe yee lacke O yee poore soules Why will yee not come unto me that yee might have grace here and glorie hereafter See how he proclaimeth open market and describeth his commodities Isa. 55. 1. Hoe every one that thirsts come yee to the waters buy wine and milke without money I will sell the best ware very cheape yea if thou be a poore needie soule and hast no money I will either trust thee and take thy word or give it freely without price yea see how he chideth them for not frequenting his shop Ioh. 5. 40. But yee will not come unto me that yee might have life Why doe you lay out your money for that which is not bread and spend your labour for that which satisfieth not Isa. 55. 2. Why doe yee goe where you are cheated and cozened with drosse in stead of gold and will not come at me where you shall be faithfully and kindly dealt withall And therefore againe he inviteth them Ver. 3. Encline your eare and come unto me heare and your soule shall live They that neglect the market are likely to starve and perish for want of grace and glorie Salvation is farre from the wicked for they regard not thy Statutes sayth David Psal. 119. 155. He that despiseth Gods Ordinances is farre from salvation This is the fourth thing requisite for the making of this bargaine with Christ sc. Diligence and constancie in frequenting the house of sale Fifthly He that would bargaine with Christ must pay the price of it to the worth of the commoditie though it cost him all that he hath Now we come to the very price of the Iewell A naturall man will thinke it too much but the truth is it is an excellent peni-worth for he must part with nothing but what he hath of his owne and what he may well spare He goeth and selleth all that he hath and buyeth that field sayth
constant in the duties of Gods worship and service This appeareth not onely in regard of the expresse command of God to that purpose but also because it is the speciall condition required on our part as ever we expect the reward promised as wee have heard before but we shall finde it very necessary in many other respects whereof I will onely mention but one or two which I conceive to be the chiefe First Because without constancie and perseverance wee loose all the labour and paines that we have alreadie taken in Gods service we have laboured in vaine and to no purpose if we doe not perseveâ—e if we faint we are sure we shall never reape as the Apostle seemeth to intimate Gal. 6. 9. All our righteousnesse shall not so much as be once mentioned unto us we shall be never a whit the better for it Ezech. 18. 24. The soule of the Lord shall have no pleasure in him Heb. 10. 38. See an experiment of this in two famous examples to this purpose sc. Demas and Alexander See what a good opinion the Apostle had of this Demas he remembreth his love to the Church of Colosse Col. 4. 14. Demas-greeteth you yea he was one of Pauls fellow labourers Philemon ver 24. And yet see how the Apostle cryeth out of him afterward 2 Tim. 4. 10. Demas hath forsaken us having loved this present world Demas hath lost all his labour and the credit of all his former proceedings So for Alexander see how zealous and forward he seemed to be in Act. 19. 33. he was very like to have suffered Martyrdome and yet see how the Apostle discovereth him afterward for his damnable Apostacie 2 Tim. 4. 14. Alexander the Copper-smith hath done me much evill the Lord reward him according to his worke for he hath greatly withstood our words So he lost the benefit of all the good he had done formerly But this is not all for Secondly The sinne of back-sliding and falling backe from Religion is a thing that is most odious and hatefull to God the soule of the Lord abhorreth it the soule of the Lord will have no pleasure in such that is he hateth and abhorreth them hereupon it is compared to the vomit of a Dogge and the Sowes wallowing in the mire 2 Pet. 2. 22. Yea if any man draw backe it is unto his perdition unlesse he repent Heb. 10. 39. And how hard a thing it is for such to be brought unto Repentance Heb. 6. 5. If they fall away it is impossible to renew them againe unto repentance How-ever the back-slider in heart shall be filled with his owne wayes Pro. 14. 14. And are quite lost in their owne sense and feeling which is even a little hell upon earth as appeareth by the example of Francis Spira and William Rogers of Cranebrooke in Kent the Stories of both which are lately published Yea see the woefull estate of Lot's wife Let the judgement of God upon her make us take heede of looking backe which is the effect of that speech of our Saviour Luk. 17. 32. Remember Lots wife who for looking backe was turned into a pillar of salt Gen. 19. 46. Whosoever doe thus unlesse they repent and doe their first workes are in no case fit for the kingdome of heaven for he that putteth his hand to the Plough and looketh backe is not fit for the kingdome of God sayth our Saviour Luk. 9. 62. Thirdly Wee had need be vigilant and constant in regard of the devils continuall diligence in watching all opportunities to doe us mischiefe we had need continually to stand upon our guard and ply our worke for if we give over we immediately become a prey to his malicious crueltie Whilst the little bird is in action and flying from bush to bush and from place to place she is in no danger of being shot to death but when she sitteth still she becommeth a prey to the cruell fowler it is the Holy Ghosts owne similitude Prov. 26. 2. As the bird by wandring and the Swallow by flying so the curse causelesse shall not come When did David become a prey to the Devill and lust but when he lay idely at home 2 Samuel 11. upon his bed The Devill seeketh continually to doe us hurt and by doing nothing we learne to doe evill Therefore this is the Apostles argument to perswade to constancy and vigilancy 1 Peter 5. 8. For your adversary the Devill as a roring Lion goeth about seeking continually whom he may devoure And thus yee see also the necessitie of constancy and perseverance in the duties of Gods worship and service It is equall profitable and necessary Now for the Meanes that wee must use that we may be constant I will give you only one generall which will divide it selfe into sundry particulars 1. In generall get a right disposition of heart to this purpose without this it is impossible for any to be constant in Gods service therefore saith David Psalme 119. 112. I have inclined my heart to performe thy Statutes alwayes It is only a good and an honest heart that is able to make a man hold out in Gods wayes as our Saviour sheweth Luke 8. 15. This made Iehu fall away at last notwithstanding all the faire shewes he made of zeale for God and his truth But Iehu tooke no heede to walke in the Law of the Lord God of Israel with all his heart saith the Text 2 Kings 10. 31. This made him cleave to Ieroboam's calvish Idolatry So this made Simon Magus fall off notwithstanding all his fine shewes of Religion his keeping company with the Apostles his being baptized c. he shewed plainly what he was at last And how came that I perceive that thy heart is not right in the sight of God saith the Apostle to him Acts 8. 21. If we would persevere in Gods service we must labour to have our hearts set in a right frame Now more particularly if ye aske me what disposition or frame of heart is it that we must labour for if we would bee constant in Gods service 1. I answer that if we would be constant in Gods service we must labour for a beleeving heart an heart fraught with the precious grace of true saving faith This is that which will make a man constant and victorious over all impediments 1 Iohn 5 4 5. For whosoever beleeveth and is borne of God overcommeth the world and this is the victory that overcommeth the world even your faith True saving faith is of a lasting nature he that hath it can never perish but have everlasting life Iohn 3. 16. Yea this doth alwayes end in salvation 1 Peter 1. 9. Receiving the end of your faith even the salvation of your soules saith the Apostle if any man draw backe and fall off from Gods service it is either for want of faith or at least for want of a true saving faith When the Apostle had shewed
the danger of backsliding see the remedy which the Apostle prescribeth or intimateth at least in that case If any man draw backe my soule shall have no pleasure in him We are not of them that draw backâ— unto perdition there is the danger but of them that beleeve or follow faith to the saving of the soule there is the remedy Hebrewes 10. 38 39. If any thing make us hold out against Sathan in that dangerous conflict it must be the shield of faith whereby we may quench all the fiery darts of the wicked Ephesians 6. 16. Above all take unto you the shield of faith if any thing at all can doe you good this is it 2. It must be such a faith as worketh by love Galath 5. 6. And therefore in the second place we must labour for a loving heart if we would be constant Let us serve God for love and that will make us persevere in it Men will bee constant in the workes they love the Epicure is constant in pleasures and recreations the covetous in toyleing for the world the Student is constant at his booke And why so Because they love these things Charity will make a man hold out it hopeth all things and endureth all things saith the Apostle 1 Cor. 13. It never faileth ver 8. They that serve God for love resemble the Sunne that shineth more and more till the perfect day or like Mount Sion that standeth fast for ever and cannot be removed Psalm 125. 1. See how constant is Iacob in serving for Rachel Genesis 29. 20. He served seven yeares for her and they seemed but a few dayes in regard of the love that he had to her saith the Text Love set him a worke and that made him constant in it Now what a shame for us if Iacob should love Rachel better than we love God If ye love me keepe my Commandements saith our Saviour Iohn 15. 14. As if hee had said If yee love me ye will doe it Labour of love will be constant He whose bountie and charity is grounded upon true love to God will be constant in it It is an excellent place to this purpose Hebr. 6. 10. God is not unrighteous to forget your worke and labour of love which yâ— have shewed towards his Name But how did that appeare Surely by the constancy of it In that ye have ministred unto the Saints and doe minister i. e. this is a true signe that your charity and workes of mercy proceed from love to the Name of GOD because yee are constant in them this argueth evidently that they are labours of love Thirdly if wee would bee constant in Gods service we must labour to have our hearts fraught with the true feare of God This is one of the gifts of God that are without repentance Romans 11. 29. The feare of the Lord is cleane and endureth for ever Psalme 19. 8. Blessed is the man that feareth alwayes Proverbs 28. 14. Hee that truly feareth God will feare him alwayes this will make him constant in Gods service Ier. 32. 40. I will put my feare in their hearts that they shall never depart from me saith the Lord. The true feare of God will make us constant and therefore it is a chiefe point of wisdome to serve God with feare as is intimated in Psalme 2. 10 11. Be wise now therefore O ye Kings be instructed ye Iudges of the earth Well wherein should they chiefely shew their wisdome Verse 11. Serve the Lord with feare and rejoyce with trembling Why so Surely because then they would bee constant and keepe in the right way or else they would soone perish from it as is intimated in the next verse 12. Kisse the Sonne lest be be angry and yee perish from the right way Fourthly If we would bee constant in Gods service we must labour for a sound and an honest heart It is onely the good and the honest heart that holdeth out and bringeth forth fruit with patience Luk. 8. 15. Behold thou desirest truth in the inward affections saith David Psalme 51. 6. Because the Lord knoweth such an heart will be constant A little before the Apostle â—hewing the danger of backsliding and inconstancy in GODS service hee prescribeth this as it were a remedy to prevent that danger Heb. 10. 22. Let us draw nigh â—o God with a true heart c. Such an heart will make a man constant and firme â—ndeed therefore saith David Psaâ— 119. â—0 Let my heart be sound in thy staâ—utes â—hat I be not ashamed A true ridden horse will hold out to the end of the journey but a tainted jade will faint at last This made the Israelites so fickle and inconstant in Gods service Psalme 78. 34. When he slew them then they sought him and they returned and enquired early afteâ— God Was not this well Yea so farre as man could judge it was excellent that they should so readily returne to him that smote them and so indeed it had beene if it had come form the heart but alasâ— there they failed Ver. 36. Neverthelesse they did but flatter him with their mouth and lyed unto him with their tongue for their heart was not right with him neither were they stedfast in his covenant This was abominable So that if wee would bee constant in GODS service wee must see that our hearts bee sound and upright else they will start aside like a broken or a deceitfull bow verse 57. Fifthly If we would bee constant in the maine duties of Gods worship and service we must take heed that wee take not liberty wilfully to offend in lesser matters I know speciall respect must bee had to the maine duties of Religion and the weighty things of the Law Matth. 23. 23 but yet we must take heede of taking liberty to offend in smaller matters againsâ— knowledge and conscience He that breaketh one of the least of Gods Commandements and teacheth men so the same shaâ— be called and accounted least in the kingdomâ— of heaven saith our Saviour Matthew 5 19. How great a Scholler or how strict soever he may seeme to be in other things this will lessen them in the hearts of Gods people Yea and he that at first taketh liberty wilfully to offend in trifles will at last fall away in greater matters First petty oathes then greater c. It is an excellent place to this purpose and excellently urged by a late Divine in this case Gal. 1. 7. There be some that trouble you and would pervert the Gospell of Christ No might they say they retained the Gospell onely they would have brought in a Iewish riâ—e or two Circumcision which was a thing of nothing What saith the Apostle to these Galathians 2. 5. To whom we gave place by subjection no not for an houre Not for an houre Why Paul what hurt can there be in a circumstance a Ceremony or a trifle Yes if it bee urged as necessary to salvation it would soone
above all the men which were upon the face of the earth there is his ornament an ornament indeed and that of great price even in the esteeme and account of God himselfe observe it 1 Pet. 3. 3 4. see the Apostles direction to wives how to adorne themselves with better ornaments then gold and silver Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the haire and wearing of gold or of putting on of apparell that is costly apparell these are poore ornaments what then that we shall see v. 4. but the hidden man of the heart in that which is not corruptible even the ornament of a meeke and quiet spirit which is in Gods account a thing of great price loe a man or womans chiefe ornament If we would in stead of rich and costly apparell put on the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit and readily passe by such wrongs and injuries as are offered unto us it would be a farre better and a much cheaper ornament then gold and silver and all the fine cloaths in the world So that even in this respect also Christ and the graces of his Spirit are fitly resembled unto gold yea gold tryed in the fire Sixthly Gold hath a very good smell a sweet savour however it is true in respect of the gaine of it for that hath a sweet smell in the most mens account so hath Christ his merits and graces have a sweet smelling savour in the Lords account even the sacrifice of Christ the offering himselfe up in sacrifice to God for us smelled sweetly in the nosthrils of God It is a sweet place to this purpose Ephes. 5. 2. And walke in love there is our dutie as Christ also hath loved us there is our patterne and hath given himselfe for us there is the expression and demonstration of it an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour the sweetest smelling gold is not herein comparable to the sacrifice of Christ. Yea and not onely his sacrifice and merits but also the graces of his Spirit have also a sweet smelling savour such as faith and love and charitie c. See what the Apostle sayth of that sweet grace of charitie Phil. 4. 18. see what the Apostle testifieth of the charitie of these Philippians Having received the things which were sent from you an odor of a sweet smell a sacrifice acceptable well pleasing to God for that a charitable heart is an heart worth gold even in this respect For with such Sacrifices God is well pleased sayth the Apostle speaking of this very grace Heb. 13. 16. Seventhly Gold is the means to make men rich so doth Christ and his graces as wee shall see in the next poynt CHAP. II. Containig the two first Vses of the poynt sc. Instruction and Reprehension NOw the Vses of this poynt are many and of speciall weight and worth it is of use both for Instruction and Reprehension and also for Examination and Exhortation 1. This Doctrine serveth for Instruction The knowledge of this truth leadeth and directeth us to the knowledge of other truths For first Is true saving grace fitly resembled unto gold This sheweth then the worth and excellency of true saving grace it is a farre more excellent and precious commodity then men usually account it else our Saviour would never have called it Gold yea gold tryed in the fire So that an heart full of saving grace is worth a purse full of precious gold it is as precious as gold yea much more precious then the most fine gold Thus much the wisest Solomon that knew the worth of both expresly telleth us Pro. 3. 14. where speaking of wisdome that is spirituall and heavenly wisdome he sayth It is more precious then fine gold The like the Apostle sayth of true saving faith It is much more precious then gold Give me leave to shew you the worth of true saving grace that it is more precious then the most precious gold and silver in the world and this I will manifest in these sixe particulars 1. Gold is but of a fading perishing nature and condition hence is that phrase of the Apostle 1 Pet. 1. 7. That the tryall of your faith being much more precious then gold that perisheth but on the contrary Grace is that which endureth unto everlasting life Ioh. 6. 27. Hereupon the wise man calleth it durable riches Pro. 3. 18. So that in this case that of the Psalme may be fitly applyed Psal. 102. 26. They shall perish that is all sublunary things are of a perishing condition but thou O Lord and thy saving grace shall endure even for ever Riches and gold and silver are very fickle and uncertaine they doe often betake them to their wings and fly away as an Eagle towards heaven sayth the Wise man Pro. 23. 5. And charge the rich that they trust not in uncertaine riches sayth the Apostle 1 Tim. 6. 17. Riches and gold and silver are very uncertaine but grace is very permanent and lasting it is that good part which shall not be taken from him or her that hath it Luk. 10. 42. Therefore true saving grace is better then gold even in this respect 2. Gold and silver can neither comfort nor deliver him that hath it in the day of Gods wrath many do make gold their hope in this case and trust in the multitude of their riches but they are all utterly deluded in this case see Zeph. 1. 17. I will bring distresse upon men sayth the text yea but I have abundance of gold and silver sayth the rich man marke now what followeth even in the very next verse as it were on purpose to prevent and blow away this vaine confidence vers 18. Their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the Lords wrath but the whole Land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousie No no Riches availe not in the day of wrath but Righteousnesse onely delivereth from death as the Wise man hath told us long agoe Pro. 11. 4. True saving grace will affoord both comfort in and also deliverance from the fury of Gods wrath When the Lord hath a purpose to bring an overflowing scourg upon any Nation or people he hath a speciall respect not to the rich and wealthy but to such as are godly and religious The Lord hath chosen to himselfe the man that is godly Psal. 4. 3. He hath set such an one apart for his own use all such must have a marke set upon their fore store of gold and silver and yet be hated and abhorred of God for all that as Cain and Judas but he that hath true saving grace such as faith and love and the feare of God c. hath ever speciall favour and acceptance with God It is an excellent speech of the Apostle to this purpose Act. 10. 35. Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons but in
rich and wealthy Oh! then in any case blesse God for it and strive to walke worthy of such a precious favour I tell thee God hath not dealt so with every person how many thousand hath God left poore and blind and naked and yet hath set his love upon thee and made thee truely and spiritually rich who wert by nature the childe of wrath and as poore and miserable as any other And indeede the favours of God on this kinde should not be so much as mentioned without speciall praise and thankesgiving unto God See the Apostolicall practise of Gods people in this kinde Blessed be God and the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ who hath blessed us with all spirituall blessings in heavenly things in Christ saith the Apostle Paul Ephes. 1. 3. See the like practise in Peter to this purpose 1 Pet. 1. 3. Blessed be God the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ which according to his abundant mercie hath begotten us againe to a lively hope by the resurrection of Iesus Christ from the dead to an inheritance immortall c. Thus David Psalm 103. 1 2 4. Blesse the Lord O my soule and all that is within me blesse his holy Name Blesse the Lord O my soule forget not all his benefits and Ver. 4. Who did redeeme thy life from destruction and crowned thee with mercy and loving kindnesses Blessed be God that daily more and more even lodeth us with his benefits especially of this kinde Psal. 68. 19. If wee did but seriously consider our former povertie and misery and how freely and undeservedly the Lord hath bestowed this spirituall wealth and riches upon us it cannot choose but presse us to thankfulnesse This made Paul thankfull 1 Tim. 1. 13 14. I thanke Christ Jesus our Lord that he hath judged me faithfull and hath put me into the Ministery who was before a blasphemer a persecutor and injurious c. i. e. I was a poore wretched and gracelesse persecutor of Gods blessed Saints but the Lord according to the riches of his grace and mercy hath made me a rich and glorious Apostle and Minister of Iesus Christ. So in the like forme and manner he maketh mention of Gods singular goodnesse to the Romans Chap. 6. 17. But God be thanked that yee were the servants of sinne but yee have obeyed from the heart the forme of Doctrine which was delivered c. Blessed be God that whereas once yee were poore base slaves and servants of sinne and Sathan God hath enriched you with the glorious libertie of the Sonnes of God It is the Lord that Raiseth up the poore out of the dust and setteth him with the Princes of his people It is the Lord that maketh poore and maketh rich oh then blesse God for his singular goodnesse towards thee in that he hath so enriched thee with the golden merits of his dearest Sonne and the excellent graces of his holy and blessed Spirit Secondly Seeing true saving grace is the chiefe and onely meanes to make us truely and spiritually rich this serveth also to exhort all such as have any measure of true saving grace to labour to grow in grace and endeavour to increase in this spirituall wealth and riches O let us imitate the rich misers of the world that are never satisfied with what they have but still hunger and thirst after more here is a most lawfull and commendable kinde of avarice Covet after the best things 1 Cor. 12. 31. Covet after Christ and earnestly thirst after a more neare communion with him and the graces of his thrise blessed Spirit But grow in grace sayth the Apostle 2 Pet. 3. 18. So Paul to the Thessalonians 1 Thes. 4. 1. Wee beseech you brethren and exhort you by the Lord Iesus Christ that as you have received of us how yee ought to walke and to please God so you would abound still more and more The like exhortation he directeth to the Corinthians 1 Cor. 15. last Alwayes abounding in the worke of the Lord for as much as yee know how that your labour is not in vaine in the Lord. Never thinke that you shall loose your labour in this kinde Vp therefore and be doing labour to grow in grace and the Lord will be with us and will blesse our endeavours Now for the perfecting of this point give me leave briefly to shew unto you first The Motives that may perswade us and secondly The chiefe meanes to helpe and to direct us to grow in grace First Because God commands it secondly because the Lord commends it thirdly the Lord is much honoured by it fourthly the Lord will most surely reward it First Let us labour to grow rich in grace and not content our selves with some small measure of pietie because the Lord as you have heard doth expresly require it 2 Pet. 3. 18. But grow in grace c. Now the very bare command of God should be unto us an argument of sufficient strength to perswade us to obedience See how the Lord propoundeth his very â—are command to Iosuah as an argument of sufficient strength to perswade him to be of courage and to abandon all carnall feares Ios. 1. 9. Have not I commanded thee be strong and of a good courage c. So here Have not I commanded thee Oh therefore grow in grace and labour to increase in godlinesse This is the Lords expresse command an evangelicall precept and therefore let us in any case make conscience of it because the LORD requireth it Secondly Because the Lord himselfe expecteth it he looketh for it at our hands It is not enough to get some grace but he expecteth our growth and increase in it When God hath once planted a Vineyard he looketh that it should bring forth grapes as Isa. 5. 2. yea he daily and yearely expecteth it Luk. 13. 7. yea the Lord Jesus goeth into his garden of purpose that he may see how the trees flourish and prosper Cant. 6. 10. I went downe into the garden of Nutts to see the fruits of the valley to see if the Vine budded and the Pomgranates flourished The Lord expecteth and looketh for fruitfulnesse at the hands of his people Yea further the Lord expecteth and looketh for fruits in some measure answerable to the meanes he hath used and the paines which he hath taken to make them fruitfull Heb. 6. 7. The earth that drinketh in the raine that cometh often upon it and bringeth forth fruit meet for them by whom it is dressed receiveth blessing from God Oh let us therefore let us labour to be rich in grace and full of good workes that wee may not frustrate the LORDS expectation Thirdly As the Lord commandeth and expects it so the Lord doth highly commend and prize it when it is so See how the Lord commendeth the diligence of those servants that had encreased their Talents by the holy employment of them Luk. 19. 17. Well done good and faithfull servant thou hast beene faithfull
in a few things I will make thee ruler over many things c. Oh what an encouragement in this sc. that though when we have done all that we can we doe but our dutie neither can we doe that perfectly yet the Lord in mercie is readie to encourage and commend us if we doe our best endeavour Here is the commendation of a right tree of Righteousnesse that they are such as flourish and increase still more and more Psal. 92. 12 13. The righteous shall flourish like a Palme tree and grow like a Cedar in Lebanon Such as be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the Courts of the house of our God They shall bring forth fruit in their age and they shall be fat and flourishing Here was the commendation of the Church of Thyatyra Revel 2. 19. I know thy workes and thy love and thy faith and patience and thy workes that they are more at last then at first Thou doest still grow in grace and art every day better and better The Lord taketh notice of our growth in grace and doth most highly commend and prize it Fourthly As the Lord commends it so he is much honoured by it It is the glory of the Master of the Vineyard that the Vine flourisheth and is fruitfull It is the glory of the husbandman that the earth bringeth forth fruit in abundance It is the glory of the chiefe Shepheard when the sheepe bring forth thousands and ten thousands Hereupon is that speech of our Saviour Ioh. 15. 8. Herein is my Father glorified that yee bring forth much fruit The more fruitfull wee are in grace and pietie the more glory redoundeth to God Mat. 5. 16. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good workes and glorifie your Father which is in heaven Hence is that prayer of the Apostle Phil. 1. 9. 11. And this I pray that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and in all judgement Why so see that Ver. 11. And that yee may be filled with the fruits of righteousnesse which are by Iesus Christ to the prayse and glory of God Oh this above all other considerations should perswade us to labour to grow rich in grace because it tendeth so expresly to Gods glory which is the chiefe end of God himselfe in all his actions and that which we should ayme at especially in all our proceedings 1 Cor. 10. 31. Whether yee eate or drinke or whatsoever yee doe doe all to the glory of God sayth the Apostle and therefore wee should in all equitie ply that worke most that tendeth most to his glory Fifthly The Lord will most surely reward it Let no man ever thinke that it is in vaine to serve God but if wee be faithfull in doing God service let us never doubt of his fidelitie and bountie in paying our wages Alwayes abounding in the worke of the Lord for as much as yee know how that your labour is not in vaine in the Lord sayth the Apostle 1 Cor. 15. last He that is faithfull in Gods service unto death may be sure of the Crowne of life Revel 2. 10. God is absolutely the best Master and pietie the best Mistresse that a man can possibly serve Godlinesse is profitable unto all things sayth the Apostle having the promise of the life that now is and of that to come 1 Tim. 4. 8. Let us but see the reward of pietie in some few particulars First An earnest endeavour to grow in grace and thrive in godlinesse will assure a man of his election It is the advise of the Apostle 2 Pet. 1. 10. Give diligence to make your calling and election sure no better meanes to doe it then by an earnest desire and carefull endeavour to grow in grace our growth in grace is not onely an argument of the truth of our grace but also a good pledge and token of our election faith and holinesse is a fruit of our eternall election Hence it is that true saving faith is called The faith of Gods elect Titus 1. 1. This should make us earnestly to cry out with the Disciples Luk. 17. 5. Lord increase our faith because it is such a pledge of our election for As many as were ordained to eternall life beleeved Acts 13. 48. Holines is the very end of our election Wee are chosen in Christ Iesus before the world that wee might be holy and without blame before him in love Ephes. 1. 4. Hence is that sweet and excellent parenthesis of the Apostle Col. 3. 12. Put upon you therefore as the elect of God holy and beloved bowels of mercie c. So that the more faith the more pietie the more bowels of mercie c. the more evident pledges and tokens of our election Oh how this should perswade us to grow in grace that wee may thereby make our calling and election sure unto our selves an admirable and most desireable benefit Secondly The richer we are in grace the better able shall we be to doe good to others and also to discharge the duties belonging to the places wherein God hath set us Wisedome is good with an inheritance sayth Salomon so no doubt it is without an inheritance but yet he that hath wisedome with an inheritance is the best able to expresse and make use of his wisedome so 1 Tim. 6. 17. Charge those that be rich in this world c. that they be rich in good workes as if they had the best opportunitie so much more they that are spiritually rich that are full of the golden graces of Gods Spirit they have an opportunitie to be rich in good workes and are or may be the better fitted and enabled to doe good to others This made our Saviour himselfe so rich in good workes so plentifull in workes of pietie and charitie He went about continually doing good teaching and preaching the Gospell of the kingdome and healing every sicknesse and every disease amongst the people Mat. 9. 35. And why so Surely because he was full of grace Ioh. 1. 14. This made Barnabas such an admirable instrument of Gods glorie in doing so much good at Antioch see how the Text reports it Acts 11. 23. Who when he was come and saw the grace of God he was glad and exhorted them all that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord Why so what made him so zealous and ready to do good That you may see Ver. 24. For he was a good man and full of the holy Ghost and of faith and much people joyned themselves unto the Lord. He that is truely and really good himselfe is the fittest and best able to doe good to others See here another benefit that may perswade us to grow in grace Thirdly An earnest desire and carefull endeavour to grow in grace will give us not onely entrance into the kingdome of grace but also assurance of interest in the kingdome of glorie See a direct place
and faithfull servant because thou hast beene faithfull in a few things have thou authoritie over ten Cities Yea who must have the odde Talent but he that had ten before Ver. 24. And he sayd unto them that stood by Take the Talent from him and give it to him that hath ten Talents They said unto him v. 25. Lord he hath ten Talents i.e. he hath enough alreadie now observe the answer ver 26. For unto every one that hath shall be given c. He that hath most grace to spend most time in Gods service on earth shall have the greatest reward and the most glorie in heaven Oh therefore beginne betime to get grace that thou mayest have the more glorie in heaven Fifthly The sooner we beginne to spend time in Gods service the sooner shall we beginne to requite our Parents love and to affoord them comfort The childes well-doing is the Parents comfort Yea many Parents that are not so religious themselves rejoyce yet to see their children zealous and forward that way A wise Sonne maketh a glad Father sayth Salomon Prov. 10. 1. A wise Sonne that is a religious childe one that setteth himselfe to serve God in his youth he rejoyceth the heart of his Father But a foolish Sonne that is an ungodly Impe is the griefe of his Mother Vngodly children like a viperous brood do eate out the very hearts of their parents and doe stab their hearts with sorrow and heavinesse It is a strange speech of Salomon 17. 21. He that begetteth a foole that is an ungracious child for that is Salomons foole doth it to his sorrow and the Father of a foole hath no joy I marvaile not more that old Ely brake his necke with his fall at last then that his sonnes had not broken his heart long before with their vicious courses Oh let us therefore serve God in our youth that it may be a comfort to our Parents in their age Here is the fifth Benefit But besides the Vtilitie let us in the second place consider the Necessitie For besides the expresse charge that wee have from God to this purpose see the dangerous consequences and inconveniences that follow upon the neglect of it So that wee must needs doe it or we must doe worse Now the mischiefes that doe especially flow from the neglect of Gods service in our youth are principally five First If we doe not serve God in our youth we shall serve worse Masters sc. the Devill the world and the flesh He that serveth not God must serve the Devill it is unavoydable observe it Ephes. 2. 2. Wherein in times past ye walked according to the course of this world according to the Prince of the power of the ayre the Spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience But how came this to passe See Ver. 12. At that time yee were without Christ c. without God in the world He that is without Christ and without God will not nor cannot be without his lustes Vntill we become the servants of God we are all the vassals of Sathan and slaves to our own filthy lustes Titus 3. 3. For wee our selves were sometimes foolish serving diverse lustes and pleasures c. Loe our woefull Masters untill we set our selves to serve God Living in malice hatefull and hating one another sayth the Apostle there Yee cannot serve God and Mammon sayth our blessed Saviour Mat. 6. 24. As if he had sayd Yee cannot but serve one of them He that committeth sinne is the servant of sinne a wofull Master See what lamentable wages such Masters usually give their servants in the end The wages of sinne is death sayth the Apostle Rom. 6. 23. See then how necessary it is to serve God and that speedily for till then we must of necessitie serve wofull Masters for wofull wages But O the happinesse of such as spend time in Gods service Ver. 22. But now being made free from sinne and become the servants of God yee have your fruit unto holinesse and the end everlasting life There is excellent wages Secondly The longer we stay before we set our selves to serve God the more difficult and hard we shall finde it if we doe returne to God at last He that posteth the contrary way is still the farther from his journeys end and will have the lesse minde to returne Continuance in evill breedeth a custome in sinne which is not left without great difficultie Ier. 13. 23. Can the Aethiopian change his skinne or the Leopard his spots then may yee also doe good that are accustomed to doe evill It is exceeding difficult When a man hath gotten a custome of swearing or drinking or gameing how hard is it for such to be reclaimed A twig is easily dealt with which is immoveable if it grow till it become a tree How tractable was Joash in his youth but in his age intolerable He that was guided by Jehojada in his youth killed his sonne Zachariah afterward Much more he that is bad in his youth may be worse in his age Thirdly How just is it with God to reject them in their age which have rejected his service in their youth Men thinke any thing is good enough for God the rotten old age the blinde and the lame and the sicke but how much they are deceived the Prophet sheweth Mal. 1. Offer it now to thy Prince or thy Governour sayth the Lord would he accept it at thy hands Suppose that a Souldier should spend all his youth in service against his Soveraigne and then in his old age should offer his service to his Prince How justly might such a base offer be rejected Why should we spend the flower of our youth in vanitie and yet thinke that God should accept of us in our age He that runneth from God the greatest part of his life God may hide himselfe from him at his death witnesse Spira and the Kentish Apothecarie how wofully did God hide himselfe from them in death that had neglected his service in their life When the Father seeth the childe readie to play with every toy or feather and not to minde his way he steppeth behinde a bush and hideth himselfe a good while before the childe can finde him so dealeth God with his children Verely thou art a God that hydest thy selfe O God of Israel the Saviour Isa. 45. 15. If Gods children will walke so neare hell mouth the greatest part of their life no marvell if at the time of death the Lord take them by the heeles and make them beleeve he will throw them in So I conceive the Lord dealt with Spira and the Apothecarie I love them that love me sayth Wisedome and they that seeke me early shall finde me Pro. 8. 17. To intimate unto us that it is possible for a man to come too late There is a time when God will not be found as is intimated Isa. 55. 6. See an experiment of such as come
looketh on the heart For the Lord knoweth full well that if the heart be not right set for God he will never walke uprightly before God how great a semblance or shew of pietâ— soever a man may make therefore God in his wisedome looketh on the heart Deut. 32. 46. Set your hearts unto all these words saith Moses It is not setting of the eare to heare only or the mouth to speake no nor the hands to worke nor feete to walke that will serve the turne unlesse the heart in the meane time be right set for that purpose therefore saith David Psalme 119. 11. I have hid thy Word in my heart that I might not sinne against thee Lo the chiefe antidote against sinne is to hide and ponder the Word of God within our hearts An excellent direction to this purpose is that of the Apostle Saint Iames 4. 8. Draw nigh to God and he will draw nigh to you if wee desire that God should draw nigh to us in mercy we must strive to draw nigh to him in service and obedience But what is required that wee may bee fit to draw nigh to God Wash your hands or cleanse your hands yee sinners and purifie your hearts ye double minded It is only a cleane and a true heart that will make a man fit to draw nigh to God Heb. 10. 22. Let us draw nigh to God with a true heart c. Hereupon David prayeth so earnestly for such an heart Psalme 119. 80. O let my heart be upright in thy Statutes that I be not ashamed For indeed God loveth truth of heart or truth in the inward affections above all other things whatsoever this is the maine thing that he desireth Psalme 51. 6. He that ever meaneth to be religious indeed must of necessity begin with the heart that is the chiefe great wheele of the clocke that moveth all the rest Psalme 37. 30 31. The mouth of the righteous will speake wisedome his tongue will be talking of judgement How commeth this to passe that yee shall see in the words following The Law of God is in his heart and none of his steps shall slide It is the heart that setteth both the tongue and hands a worke for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh saith our blessed Saviour in Matthew 12. 34. Oh therefore all that would spend much time in Gods service which as we have heard is absolutely and incomparably the best spent time labour to have your hearts rightly fitted and prepared for that purpose even such an heart as I have formerly described unto you namely a beleeving heart a loving heart a sincere and an upright heart full of truth and sincerity and an heart also fraught with the true feare of God hee that hath such an heart is right set for Gods service It is just such an heart as God would have us to have sc. an heart fraught and furnished with the true feare of GOD Deut. 5. 29. They have well said all that they have spoken saith the Lord ver 28. Oh that there were such an heart in them Good words without a good heart are little worth Well what kinde of heart would God have them to have That yee shall see in the words following O that there were such an heart in them that they would feare me and keepe my Commandements alwayes that it might be well with them An heart fraught with the true feare of God is that which GOD especially desireth should be in his children and which he doth exceedingly delight in when hee findeth in it them 2. We must be constant and conscionable in the private exercises of Religion this is the way to bring the heart to a right frame for the publike Ordinances this is like the tuneing of the instrument so that he that careth not for spending any time at all in private duties careth not how little time he spendeth that way in publike Oh that wee would lay this to heart and bee carefull to spend time in private prayer and reading and holy meditations Even Princes are not exempted in this case See that Direction in Deut. 17. 18 19. See the King of Israels duty when he sitteth on the Throne of his kingdome Hee shall write him a Copie of Gods Law in a booke out of that which is before the Priests and Levites and it shall be with him and hee shall reade therein all the dayes of his life that he may learne to feare the Lord his God c. where we see 1. That it is the duty even of Kings themselves to feare GOD as well as others 2. That to the end he may feare God hee must be acquainted with Gods Word for the feare of God must be learned out of the booke of God 3. Hee was to get him a copie of Gods Booke that which wee now call a Bible Kings must get them Bibles as well as Priests and Levites 4. Hee must reade in it all the dayes of his life and if Kings then much more all subjects and private persons must spend some part of every day in the duties of Gods service in private Who need thinke himselfe too good for private duties when Kings themselves are not exempted Yea it is the duty of all Gods people to search the Scriptures Iohn 5. 39. Search the Scriptures for in them yee thinke yee have eternall life and they are they that testifie of me saith our Saviour Yea wee should all study to be well acquainted with the Scriptures by private reading that we may be the more delighted with the publike heareing Colossians 3. 16. Let the Word of CHRIST dwell in you richly in all wisedome teaching and admonishing one another in Psalmes and Hymnes and spiritiuall songs c. Lo how Gods people should spend their time in private O how this would fit us for exercises of Religion in publike What made those Noble Boereans Acts 17. 11. willing to spend so much time in hearing Paul preach in publike Surely this was one cause amongst the rest sc. the care which they had to spend their time well even in private They searched the Scriptures daily whether those things were so and so finding how sweetely Pauls Doctrine accorded with that which they found written in Gods Booke they received the Word with all readinesse of minde and tooke delight to spend much time in the duties of Gods publike worship and service Deut. 6. 6 7. These words which I command thee shall be in thy heart and thou shalt teach them diligently to thy Children and loe this would make us love to spend much time in Gods service publikely c. Thirdly Hee that would have an heart rightly prepared that he may bee fit and willing to spend much time in the duties of Gods solemne worship and service must have a care to beginne the day with religious exercises and holy meditations godly cogitations let into the heart in the morning will season the heart of a man
exceedingly and keepe it in a better frame all the day after ô what an excellent thing to consecrate even our first awaking unto God this is the way to shut out the three capitall adversaries of our salvations the Devill the World and the Flesh that are ready to dispose us to evill so soone as we awake in the morning The way to keepe out this wretched company all the day isto let God into our hearts so soone as we awake by holy meditations See an experiment of this in David What made him to make so great account of Gods publike Ordinances Surely his care to begin the day well was a very great helpe unto him Even hee that saith in our Text A day in thy Courts is better than a thousand could say other where Early in the morning will I direct my prayers unto thee and will looke up Psalme 5. 3. Hee was an excellent husband in a morning And therefore as the drunkard riseth early to follow strong drinke Isaiah 5. So Gods people must rise early in the morning to doe God service yea this was an ordinary thing with David Psalme 119. 147. I prevented the dawneing of the morning and cryed hee was at his holy exercises before the dawneing of the day So Psalme 130. ver 6. My soule waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning I say more than they that watch for the morning He was like a man full of paine that could not rest nor sleepe all the night but watcheth for the morning light or a man that hath some speciall businesse to doe that breaketh his sleepe with the thoughts of it and lyeth and watcheth for the morning that he may speedily start up and set about it so a gracious heart doth even consecrate his first awakings unto God and lyeth and watcheth for an opportunitie to doe God service Oh that we would hearken to this direction sc. to begin the day well even with holy meditations Oh what a shame is it that we should not bee as diligent to save our soules as the wicked are to loose theirs and bee at least as zealous in Gods service as they are in the devils Now marke the practise of the wicked Mich. 2. 2. They imagine mischiefe upon theirbe ds when the morning light commeth they practise it So on the contrary let us as soone as we awake imagine piety upon our beds that when the morning light commeth wee may practise the same to GODS glory and our eternall salvation It is the practise of some wise people that live in infected places that â—efore 〈◊〉 goe abroad in the morning they take a â—rauâ—ht of some wholesome liquor to fill their veines which is an excellent meanâ—s to prevent the infection of the pestilence or any such like catching or infectioâ—â— disease so a good draught of prayer or holy meditation the reading of a Chapter next our heart such spirituall receits would be excellent meanes to prevent the world or devils infecting of our soules wheras if we venture abroad without all or any of these fasting as it were we are in great danger to be infected To this purpose we have the example and practise of our blessed Saviour who by private prayer and meditation made himselfe the fitter for the discharge of the duties of his publike Ministery Yea and arose early in the morning to that purpose Observe it Mar. 1. There we shall finde that our Saviour was earnestly benâ— upon the discharge of his Propheticall office and to this end by his Spirit stirreth up an earnest desire in the peoples hearts to heare him and therefore saith the Text Simon and they that were were with him said unto him All men seeke for thee verse 36. 37. and then see his resolution to that purpose verse 38. 39. Let us goe into the next townes that I may preach there also for therefore came I forth and so he preached in their Synagogues throughout all Galilee But what meanes did he use to fit himselfe for this purpose that yee may see ver 35. And in the morning rising up a great while before day he went out and departed into a solitary place and there prayed wherein he is an excellent patterne for our imitation and by his blessed example doth plainely teach us that for a man to arise early in the morning to performe the duties of Gods private worship and service is an excellent meanes to prepare and fit him for the duties of Gods publike worship and service Hereupon it is also that He giveth direction for private prayer even prayer in the Closet as well as publike Matth. 6. 6. But thou when thou prayest enter into thy Closet and shut the doore and pray unto thy Father in secret and thy Father that seeth in secret will reward thee openly Which he doth not only because such prayers for the most part are done in sincerity but also because he well knew that the more men made conscience of prayer in secret the fitter and the more willing they would bee to spend time in the publike duties of Gods service besides the promise of acceptance is made to such as seeke wisedome early Pro. 8. 17. I love them that love me and they that seeke mee early shall finde mee saith Wisedome there CHAP. IX Containing the fourth Direction how to spend much time in Gods service FOurthly if wee would spend much time in the duties 〈◊〉 Gods publike worship and service wee must labour to 〈◊〉 our hearts fraught with the love of Gods House and Ordinances wee must love publike prayer and the Word preached and the Sacraments c. Men will never care for spending much time in things which they love not they are soone weary of such kind of imployments but on the other side men care not how much time they spend in those things which they love and wherein they delight Some spend their time in working and toyle and moyle to get wealth they will arise early and sit up late and eat the bread of sorrowes c. And why so Surely because they love profit Some spend their time in hunting and hawking and such like recreations because they love their pleasures Some spend their time in study because they love learning In a word Trahit sua quemque voluptas every man usually spendeth most time in that which hee loveth best And therefore he only is fit to spend much time in Gods service that is greatly in love with the duties of Religion What a great deale of time did Iacob spend in Laban's service for the love of Rachel twise seven yeares he served him night and day with all his power and they seemed but a few dayes in regard of the love which hee had to her saith the Text Genesis 29. 20. Twise seven yeares seeme but a few dayes if they be considered and looked upon with the eyes of love Now is it not a great shame for us that are Christians if it shall
of diverse sorts 1. Sort. 1. Such as can finde time for every thing but onely for Gods service 2. Sort. Are such as spend more time in idle pleasures and recreation then in Gods service Remedies against this 1. Remedie 2. Remedie 3. Sort. Are such as stay long before they beginne to spend any time at all that way Simile Antidotes against this Gods command Consider that the time wee have to spend is very uncertaine The longer we are before we beginne the more difficulties wee shall meete withall Consider how just it is for God to reject such as doe turne at last 4. Sort. Such as spend some time in Gods service but not enough 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 The stronger our assurance of salvation Wee shall bring credit to our profession 5. Sort. Such as spend more time in the Devils service then in Gods Preservatives 1. Remedy Whilest we live thus we are children of wrath 2. Remedy God wil not heare their prayers that doe so 3. Remedy All such are at utter enmity with God 4. Remedy Consider that the devill is the worst Master that we can serve 6. Sort. Such as will neither spend Time in Gods service themselves nor suffer others Luk. 11 52. See the wofull estate of all such Guilty of the bloud of soules Ezec. 33. 6. A sinne of a large extent reacheth up unto heaven The wrath of God is ready to fall on them to the uttermost A fearefull signe of reprobation A signe they belong to Sathan Vse 3. sc. For Exhortation to sundry duties especially three 1. Duty That wee begin betimes and set our selves ever speedily to serve the Lord and without all delay Motives 2. 1. The utility as appeareth in sundry benefits which flow from hence Benefit The Lord taketh it exceeding kindly if we set our selves to serve him in our youth 2. Benefit It will prevent the Lustes of youth which will else lie heavie upon us in our age Service of sinne bitternesse in the end 3. Benefit Quo semel est imbuta c. It will make us constant in Gods service in our age 4. Benefit The more comfort for the present the more glory hereafter 5. Benefit Hereby wee shall comfort our parents and requite their love 2. Motive 2 Necessity Eccles. 12. 1. Sundry mischiefs which flow from the neglect of it 1 Mischiefe Wee shall serve worse Masters 2 Mischiefe The more difficult Qui non est hodie cras minus aptus erit 3. Mischiefe God hath just cause to reject such in their age See their Histories Mr. Harris Abs. Funerall Mischiefe As none can be saved except he repentâ— so none can repent unlesse it be given him from above Men may dye three wayes 1 Suddenly 2 Sullenly 3 Desperately Qui dat misericordium poenitentibus non dat semper poenitentium petentibus Aug. Vt vera poenitentia nunquâ—m est sera sic sera poenitentia raro vera Bis dat qui citò dat Sen. Proverbe 5. Mischiefe Bringeth Gods wrath upon children Vse of Exhortation 2. Branch sc. To bee constant in Gods service when wee have once begun Motives Which are threefold The equity God is our Master and wee his servants many wayes Wee are Gods servants by profession 2 His sworne servants We are his made servants His bought servants or by way of Redemption Simile We are his hired servants Psal. 105. last 2. Motive From the Vtilitie as appeareth by sundry benefits 1. Benefit It will assure us 〈◊〉 when wee dye we shall goe to heaven 2. Benefit This will be our crowne of glorie in our age 3. Benefit This will also assure us that we 〈◊〉 Christs Disciples 4. Benefit That God will heare our prayers 5. Benefit All such shall bee taught of God and directed in his truth 6. Benefit This will afford us comfort in the greatest troubles that can befall us yea even in death 3. Motive The necesâ—itie of it Constancie in Gods service is necessarie Arguments Els we loose all the pains we have taken in Gods service heretofore Danger of backsliding It is a thing most odious and hatefull to God Necessary to bee constant because the devill seeketh continually to doe us mischiefe and bring us backe to his kingdome Meanes Generall A right disposition of the heart shewing it selfe In sundry specialties 2. Speciall 1 It must bee a faithfull or beleeving heart A loving heart An heart fraught with the true feare of God A sound and upright or a good and an honest heart An heart yeelding obedience in lesser matters Dike Deceitf of heart page 191. Lastly an heart â—tored with courage and paâ—â—ence 3. Dutie To spend as much time in Gods service as wee can possibly Motives Time present is the only time for this purpose 2. Motive This time is short Ars longa vitabrevis 3. Motive Wee stay long before we begin 4. Motive The excellency of our Master Almightie Master able to defend his servants and to provide for them He is ever present with them Very pitifull and full of compassion Readie to pardon the wants and weaknesses of his servants A soule-saving Master Accepteth the will for the deed Helpeth his servants in doing their duties to him A good pay-master and bountifull Taketh pleasure in their prosperitie Heareth pâ—avers and revengeth the wrongs and injuries that are offered to them * Rom. 10. Meanes And directions how to spend much time in Gods service 1. An heart rightly fitted and prepared for this purpose 2. Direction Sc. Constancy in the private duties and exercises of Religion 3. Direction 1. Beginne each day with the private duties of Religion 4 Direction Wee must labour to have our hearts fraught with the love of Gods house and Ordinances Motives To perswade us to the love of Gods house and Ordinances 2. Motive The worth and excellencie of Gods Ordinances 3. Motive The singular use and benefit of them 1. Benefit Of the Word preached it is the Word of God 2. Benefit The Word of Health 3. Benefit The Word of Comfort 4. Benefit The Word of spirituall consolation 5. Benefit The word of eternall life and salvation 5. Direction Redeeme the Time Whately Redemption of Time All mispenders of time must be suppressed Let. 1. 1. Sinnc Quest. Resp. 1. Remedy Sinne must be discovered and found out 2. Remedy Smite it with the two edged sword of the Spirit Heb. 4. 12. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Super â—mnem gladinm ancipitem 3. Remedie Flâ—e unto Heaven for aâ—de bâ—â—ervent prayeâ— Whateley's Husbandry pag. 8 Ibid. p. 8â— M. Bernard Isle of man pag. 165. 4. Remedie 1. Medit. Iam. 1. 21. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2. Medit. 3. Medit. 2. Let. Excessive sleeping or sluggishnes 1. Rule or Remedie To habituate or accustome our selves to timely rising 2. Rule or Remedy Take heede of immoderate use of the Creatures 3. Let. Immoderate carking and caring for the things of this life The great hurt that this thiefe will doe us It keepeth us from the performance of holy duties Or
diâ—â—racteth us in them Simile Or else keepeth us from proâ—iting by them Quest. Meanes and Remedies Ans. Consider How Needlesse these excessive cares are How vaine and fruitlesse Dangerous and hurtfull 1. Mischiefe They lâ—â— us open to Sathans foule temptations 2 Mischiefe They will eat out the true love of God out of our hearts 3. Mischiefe Depriveth us of Gods love to us 4. Mischiefe Keepeth many from entring upon the pro 〈…〉 Religion 5. Mischiefe Maketh men fickle and inconstant in Religion 6. Mischiefe Bringeth the wrath of God upon a mans posteritie 4. Let. sc. Carnall feasting Remedies To consider the great hurt that commeth by it 1. Mischiefe Abuse of Gods creatures 2. Mischiefe A breeder of quarrells and unquietnesse 3. 〈…〉 4. Mischiefe And also to forget God 5. Mischiefe Increase our torments in hell if we repent not 5. Let. sc. Carnall pleasures how hurtfull and dangerous Remedies See that the matter of our pleasures bee lawfull Remedy Seasonable Remedie 3. Moderate and not excessive 4. Rule or Remedy Meditat. To consider the vanity of carnall pleasures Medit. 2. Fickle and uncertaine Meditat. 3. Hurtfull dangerous Vaine speeches 6. Let. Remedies Meditat. 1. That God doth curiously observeour-speeches Metitat 2. God will call us to a strict account for them 2. Remedy Consisting in practise Keepe thy mouth and tongue with all diligence 7. Let. Is vaine thoughts Remedies Consisting in meditation 1. God searcheth the heart seeth our thoughts God will bring our very thoughts into judgment 3. Dutie Not only to spend much time in Gods service our selves but also to doe our best to prevaile with others to doe so It hath bin the practise of Gods people to doe so Reasons or Motives In regard of God because hereby we shall shew our zeale to his glory which is hereby advanced 2. Motive In regard of our selves because 1. This is a good Testimony that we our selves are religious 3. Motive In regard of others hereby we shall manifest our love discharge our dutie to others This hath beene the practise of Gods people Else we hate oâ—r brother in our heart The Iayler Acts 16. Abraham Ioshua None but such can be truely assured of their owne conversion This is the way to bring Gods blessing upon our families 4. Motive To perswaâ—â— us to endeavour to prevaile with others to spend time in Gods service sc. The worth and excellency of the duties of Gods publike worship and service 1. Publike praâ—ers lawfull and excellent M. Sam. Hieron Preface before Helpe to Devotion M. Hildersham on Psal 51. pag. 810. 811. Idem on Psal. 51. page 68. Hildersham Fast. page 37. Illustration In regard of the Companie that is present there The presence of Gods people The Angels are present there Chrysostom Pareus in locum Hildersha on Iohn 4. page 117. Not onely the Saints and Angels but also the Lord himselfe is there present 2. Illustrat Such prayers are usually most powerfull and prevalent 3. Illustrat Such prayers redound most to Gods glorie 4. Illustrat Most sweet and comfortable The excellency of the Sacraments 1. Baptisme the excellency of it It was instituted by Christ himselfe The administration of it is 2 Beneficiall to us 1. Benefit 1. Hereby we are put in minde of our owne Baptisme and the benefits which we then received 2. Benefit This may put us in mind of the vow wee made then to God 3. Benefit Hereby witnesses in Baptisme may bee put in minde of that which they undertooke in the behalfe of others 4. Benefit An opportunity of performing a good office in the behalfe of the Infant baptized Lords Supper The excellency of it An Ordinance of Christ. Beneficall to us Benefits Hereby we doe receive Christ with his merits Our corruptions are mortified and the graces of Gods spirit increased 5. Benefit The commemoratton of the death of Christ most lively represented unto us
confessed his owne guiltinesse and the justice of God 2. Vindicated the innocency of Christ. 3. Was affected with the judgement and brought to feare God 4. Earnestly desired to worke upon his fellow servant Doest thou not feare God c. i.e. ô feare God consider what a wofull estate thou art plunged into Reasons or Motives io perswade us hereunto are foure 1. In regard of God 2. In regard of our selves 3. In regard of others 4. In regard of the excellency of Gods Ordinances 1. In regard of God because the Lord is much honoured and his Name is highly magnified and therefore hereby we shall shew our zeale for Gods glory and our â—ove unto his Majesty Gods glory in all things should be respected in the first place Whether ye eate or drinke or whatsoever ye doe doe all to the glory of God saith the Apostle 1 Cor. 10. 31. Now surely the more people and the greater the company is that joyne together in the duties of Gods service the more glory must needs hereby redound to God for the enlarging of Christs kingdome is a chiefe meanes of advancing Gods glory This our Saviour teacheth in the very mould and course of the Lords Prayer it appeareth in the very order of the petitions 1. Hallowed be thy Name to shew that in all things in the first place Gods glory must be respected 2. Thy kingdome come there is the chiefe meanes to shew that the comming of Gods kingdome is one chiefe meanes for the hallowing of his Name and the enlarging of Christ's kingdome is a chiefe meanes for the advancing of Gods glory Matth. 6. 10 11. certainely much glory must needs hereby redound to God when we are not content only to serve God our selves but also exhort and excite and stirre up others hereunto Secondly There is another Motive to perswade us which is drawne from our selves Hereby we shall manifest the work of grace wrought in our own hearts This is a good testimony that we are truely religious indeed when wee are not content to serve God our selves but are ready to provoke and stirre up others hereunto for goodnesse is a spreader of it selfe it is ready to disperse and communicate it selfe for the good of others Yee heard what the Holy Ghost said of Barnabas Acts 11. 23. That he exhorted them all that with purpose of heart they would cleave to the Lord ver 24. for he was a good man and full of the Holy Ghost A good man and one that is full of the Holy Ghost is and will be ready to excite and stirre up others unto that which is good When thou art converted strengthen thy brethren said our Saviour Luk. 22. 32. He that is truly converted himselfe will be ready to be a meanes to convert and turne others to God See it in David Psalme 51. 13. Then shall I teach thy wayes to the wicked and sinners shall be converted unto thee Where there is abundance of grace in the heart it will manifest it selfe in our gracious speeches and holy communication Psal. 37. 30 31. The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisedome his tongue will bee talking of judgement the Law of his God is in his heart c. for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh saith our Saviour Matth. 12. 34. I have hid thy Word in my heart saith David Psalme 119. 11. See the fruit of this Psalm 95. 6. O come let us worship and fall downe and kneele before the Lord our maker c. True grace maketh a man ready to doe good offices for others especially to perswade them to serve God and be religious Thirdly In regard of others For hereby we shall best manifest our love and respect to others yea we doe not know how much good we may doe them this way for by this we may come to save a soule from death and cover a multitude of sinnes Iam. 5. 20. Hereby we may come to be acquainted with the wayes of God our selves and others whom we perswade may be hereby converted to walke in his pathes for Psal. 19. 7. The Law of the Lord is perfect converting the soule c. See how confidently David assureth himselfe of the conversion of others upon his best endeavour to teach them Gods wayes Psal. 51. 13. Then shall I teach thy wayes to the wicked and sinners shall be converted unto thee How much more if we come to the house and Ordinances of God and bring others with us This argument Gods people have used to perswade others to goe with them to Gods house Come let us goe up to the mountaine of the Lord for he will teach us of his wayes and we will walke in his pathes Isa. 2. 2 3. This is the way to bring others to the true feare of GOD as well as our selves if we can perswade them to accompany us in the constant and frequent use of Gods Ordinances Observe an excellent place to this purpose Deut. 31. 11 12. When all Israel is come to appeare before the Lord in the place that he shall choose thou shalt reade this Law before all Israel in their hearing Gather the people together men women and children and the stranger that is within thy gates Why so What good will they get this That they may heare and that they may learne and feare the Lord your God to doe all the words of this Law Where we see that the house or place of Gods worship and service must be constantly frequented and that it is not enough for us to come thither our selves but we must also bring our whole families men women and children yea the very stranger that doth but occasionally come unto us we must bring all to Gods Ordinances And lastly that hereby we are likely to be instruments of working the feare of God in the hearts of those whom we bring and so to bring them to obedience Let no man say What neede we trouble our selves with others Is it not enough for every man to looke to himselfe and to have a care that he spend time himselfe in Gods service though he doe not meddle with others For though Christian charitie begin at home yet it doth not end there but he that is truely carefull to serve God himselfe will be readie to exhort and admonish others especially those of his familie and such as are committed to his charge And if any thinke much at this yet let him know that it is no more then his dutie Heb. 3. 13. But exhort one another dayly while it is called to day Nay no man can have any good assurance that he draweth nigh to God with a true heart himselfe if he doe not doe his best endeavour to excite and stirre up others to doe so too See an excellent passage to this purpose Heb. 10. 22. 24. c. Let us draw neare with a true heart in full assurance of faith having our hearts sprinkled from an evill conscience and our